Farlington – The future for some of Kansas’ most imperiled aquatic species got brighter Thursday, August 16, with the grand opening of the Kansas Aquatic Biodiversity Center (KABC) at the Farlington Fish Hatchery in southeast Kansas. More than 60 people attended the opening ceremony for the facility, which culminated more than 10 years of planning and work.
The KABC is operated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). It is part of a program to propagate imperiled aquatic wildlife for reintroduction into areas where they have had serious population declines due to human activities and other factors. It will also be a holding facility for animals in immediate peril due to a decline in the quality of their habitat. In the next few months, KABC staff will work to propagate common, non-imperiled animals to develop procedures and get the rearing systems up and running. Once the systems are ready, KABC staff will begin propagating a few select species that have been determined by KDWPT to be important to restoring existing populations.
Robin Jennison, KDWPT Secretary, told a crowd at the event the facility could have a quick impact by raising and releasing aquatic animals currently on a threatened or endangered species list. Jennison said the center will play a huge role in the recovery of species in future disaster areas, such as where a chemical spill has impacted miles of a particular stream. As well as a place to take survivors of the disaster, the center could also propagate replacement animals far faster than the species could reproduce naturally. KABC will also participate in research projects pertaining to such aquatic animals.
Dan Mosier, KABC manager, said building the facility required the collaboration of various state and federal agencies. KDWPT, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) contributed to the $853,000 construction cost. KDHE provided more than half, largely with funds collected from mitigation agreements with corporations responsible for past ecological disasters. Such funding will help support the center in the future, too.
“KDHE is proud to partner with the KDWPT on this crucial aquatic biodiversity facility. This facility will allow for critical research and production work with species that are in need of conservation,” said Leo Henning, KDHE director of the division of environment.
Mosier said KABC is currently working on a research project concerning alligator snapping turtles with a Missouri university.
The Farlington Fish Hatchery is located at 101 Hatchery Rd., Farlington, which is below the Crawford State Fishing Lake Dam in Crawford County. The KABC will not be open to the public, but tours may be given by prior arrangement by calling 620-362-4166.
TOPEKA – Wichita is the site of the second annual Kansas Manufacturing Summit, a forum providing those in the manufacturing sector the opportunity to network, learn about business match options, and gain insight into workforce development. The event will be held September 18 at the National Center for Aviation Training in Wichita.
The Kansas Manufacturing Summit, hosted by Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturing Council, in conjunction with Wichita State University, will cover a range of topics aimed at improving business operations and productivity with Kansas manufacturers.
Conference sessions include:
Emerging (3D) Technologies
Automation and Additive Manufacturing
Sustainability and Efficiencies in Manufacturing Workforce
Workforce Development and Integration
Block Chain Management
Cyber Security
Digital Transformation
“A highlight of this year’s conference will be a panel discussion giving manufacturers insights and opportunities available to help grow and develop the workforce,” said Susan NeuPoth Cadoret, Director of Business Development at the Kansas Department of Commerce.
The cost to register for the Summit is $35 through August 28, after which the cost will increase to $50. Guests will be able to attend the reception held at the end of the Summit for only $20. Registration can be completed online at KansasCommerce.gov/manufacturingsummit. The website will also include the full conference schedule, speaker biographies and hotel information as they become available.
A program designed to develop and engage the leadership skills of potential and current leaders through exposing participants to diverse aspects of our local community. The program includes 9-sessions that run from September to May. Sessions are the second Thursday of the month (8am to 3:30pm) and held at various locations throughout Bourbon County, with Mercy Hospital as the main site.
Who should participate?
LEAD Bourbon County is open to all community members, all ages, all positions. A company may sponsor one or more employees to participate, or a person may register individually on their own.
(Cost is $325 plus $50 materials fee per registrant,
includes lunch at each session, graduation, and any other expenses.)
What should participants expect?
The sessions held on the 2nd Thursday of each month begin with the class attending the weekly Chamber Coffee at a local business at 8am, then convening at Mercy Hospital for a morning session following the curriculum of the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), A guest speaker will be featured at each afternoon session which will often include a tour of a business or community attraction to exemplify leadership in action.
Robert Uhler and Deborah Needleman are co-facilitators of the program.
KLC’s principles include that anyone can lead anytime, anywhere. Leadership is not a position, it is an action.
Click here for more information and to download the printable registration form.
Registrations are requested by Friday, August 24th.
The first session will be September 13th.
Thursday morning Trailblazers practice a play to be performed for their parents, on Friday. The Fort Scott National Historic Site Youth Engagement Team helped with the program.
The Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Trailblazer Program ends August 10.
During this workshop, children were introduced to the National Park Service mission of caring for the nation’s natural and cultural heritage, according to the Fort Scott National Historic Site website: https://www.nps.gov/fosc/learn/news/trailblazercamp.htm
They searched for treasure in a mock archaeological dig, explored the prairie, and discovered methods used to preserve the buildings and artifacts of the fort. The students engaged in living history, learned flag protocol and worked on a play that they will present at the end of the week. Also, there were green activities that taught children how to use resources wisely.
Fort Scott National Historic Site Ranger Ryan O’Connell takes a photo of the Trailblazer Camp participants Thursday morning. From left: Kaylee, Ana, Jordan, Jubilee, James, Nate, Timothy, Jude, Aiden, and Althea.
Carl Brenner, new Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at Fort Scott National Historic Site, started July 22.
The new Fort Scott National Historic Site Ranger has been around.
From Shenandoah National Park, VA to Grand Canyon National Park, AZ to Pinnacles National Monument, Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Park-all in California to Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in the Texas Panhandle, Carl Brenner has been all across America.
As of July 22, Brenner is the new Supervisory Ranger and Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at FSNHS.
“I came to Fort Scott to continue my journey,” Brenner said. “I grew up in St. Louis, MO. I love the history close to home.”
Brenner is ready to become a part of Fort Scott.
“I’m ready to begin engaging with the community-schools, hospital, veterans, all civic organizations here in town,” he said. “And reaching out to other communities to bring them here.”
He wants to tell the story of the fort and its opportunities.
Brenner has a passion for the National Park Service.
“The park service story is the story of America,” he said. “It’s our responsibility to share that story.”
“Growing up I never realized you could have a job in the park service,” Brenner said. “Learning about nature and the cultures, being able to share them can be a career.”
That’s what his father, John Brenner, taught him, which inspired him. His first supervisor, Barb Stewart, also ” instilled the values of what the park service is and the possibilities that exist.”
The N.P.S became his family, he said.
His personal family is a wife, Maggie, who is still packing up their belongings in Texas, and his dogs, a German Shepherd and a Golden Retriever.
Brenner has been welcomed by the community, he said, and he is impressed with the number of activities that go on in town.
He will have to coordinate with all the activities to “have people come and enjoy the fort,” he said.
This week is Trailblazer Week at the fort.
Brenner believes this is an exposure to the fort and a pathway into a career for youth.
“I’d like to start doing that with schools, the curriculum at the schools,” he said. “Try to build pathways for people to learn about resources and opportunities with the park service.”
Shane Walker, Fred Pather, Olivia Walker and Deven Coulter at the Gunn Park Pump Track Sunday morning.
Something new has been added to Fort Scott’s biggest park.
With no sign to designate the spot, it looks like piles of dirt on the south side of Park Avenue, just before entry to Gunn Park.
“It’s kind of evolving,” Fred Prather, one of the designers of the track said. “It needs bikes to pack it down.”
Prather, Shane Walker, and Frank Halsey started physical work on the new Gunn Park Trails Pump Track about four months ago.
“We’ve had the vision of a pump track since the land purchase,” Prather said. ” We wanted someplace to set up for the kids that was easy to access and spectator friendly. “
“The project was started last year, as a result of a grant from Timken (a local company), allowing for the purchase of the property,” said Frank Halsey.
Mid-Contenintal Restoration donated the dirt and the City of Fort Scott brought the dirt in.
Then the workers began piling into small hills with which to hone biking skills.
So, what is pump track racing?
“Pump track translates from the rider pumping the bike with his arm and legs to maintain and even create momentum,” Prather said.
Olivia Walker rides on the pump track Sunday morning, Deven Coulter is in the background.
To create the local Gunn Park Pump Track, Prather did his homework.
” For research I rode every pump, BMX and slopestyle course I could find in a 4-hour driving distance….well, there really isn’t that many, so it seemed like a perfect addition to our trail system, Gunn Park Trails, to draw in more riders.”
” It is loosely styled for BMX riding which stands for bicycle motocross, so when finished it will be wide enough to run 2-3 riders at a time in a head- to- head race.”
“I grew up riding BMX and ride mountain bikes now and I am involved with Gunn Park Trails and other bike projects in town,” Walker said.
“It is open to ride,” Walker said, “but we still have finish work to get done.”
“We will do improvements and additions to only increase the fun,” Prather said. “Things like adding obstacles called ‘skinnies’ to open areas where you can try riding along something 4-10 inches wide for a length of 10 foot, etc.”
” We also plan to construct ‘drop zones’ of progressing heights, where you effectively ride off a ramp to flat ground,” Prather said. “These are skills we commonly use on a mountain bike trail. It will be a place where it’s nice and open and you can practice and perfect technique. This not only improves your riding ability faster, it is also safer.”
There is a beginner course on the far south side of the property.
Eventually, there will be a sign with safety rules and “possible billboards behind the hills,” Prather said. “And grass will be sown on the side of the hills.” He also envisions bleachers for spectators.
” I’ve been involved with Gunn Park Trails since the beginning,” Prather said. “When you can get kids participating and excited about a project it’s a win, they tell their friends and family.”
“We started to feel a need for BMX style riding and to allow mountain bikers access to a pump track which is an activity becoming increasingly popular,” Shane Walker said.
From left: Steve Watkins, Steve Fitzgerald, Doug Mays at the podium, Caryn Tyson and Kevin Jones. Five of eight candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives seat spoke at the Candidates Forum on July 31 at Fort Scott High School.
There are eight candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives vacancy to be filled because incumbent Lynn Jenkins is stepping down. Five came to Fort Scott for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce sponsored Candidate Forum at Fort Scott High School.
These are excerpts from remarks given during the 2018 Candidates Forum which was July 31.
Dennis Pyle did not attend but sent a representative to tell the audience he is a fiscal conservative, pro-life, pro 2nd Amendment Rights and one who fought against tax hikes and will continue Trump’s agenda.
Kevin Jones is running because of the lack of servant leaders. He served in the military 5.5 years as a Green Beret and will fight for jobs and curb the national debt.
Vernon Fields is an Army veteran, federal law enforcement retiree, a criminologist, and registered nurse. His values are the sanctity of life, limiting government and constitutional rights.
Steve Watkins is a political outsider, engineer, and builder, who values religious freedom and family values. “If you believe we can do better, I will fight you.”
Doug Mays is a Southeast Kansas native and was Speaker of the House in Kansas for four years.
Caryn Tyson is a grassroots conservative who owns and operates a ranch in Linn County and has worked at NASA. “We waste money on the government and it needs to stop.”
Steve Fitgerald is a retired military officer, spent years in the Kansas Senate, is pro-life, pro 2nd Amendment and a businessman for 11 years.
Question 1: The Affordable Health Care Act, what is the replacement?
Kevin Jones: The first thing people can do is begin to exercise. The issue is the cost of the act. Create a healthcare open market pool.
Vernon Fields: Said he has affordable health care as a retired military officer. “I would look at opening that kind of pool up”.
Steve Watkins: A foundation of transparency and competition, with less regulation. His wife is a doctor, which is a heavily regulated market. There is a need to empower healthcare providers to treat it as a service, not a right.
Doug Mays: When the government takes over something done by private business, “they always mess it up.” The need is to allow competition on a nationwide basis.
Caryn Tyson: It’s hurting businesses, “get government out of the room.” The government should not be involved between us and a doctor. Regulation but options.
Steve Fitgerald: ” We need to end it, not play with it, get rid of it. We don’t need the federal government in insurance.” Health savings accounts should be allowed.
Questions 2: Are you for or against completion of the border wall, how would you fund it?
Vernon Fields: In the military, he saw the border. ” I know we have problems with it.” ” A 14-mile-stretch costs $14 million.” He would look at other budgets to build the wall.
Steve Watkins: ” I was a combat engineer and build walls, they are not a lethal tool”.
Doug Mays: The Mexican border wall is more than immigration, it’s about drugs. When the National Guard was at the border, the drugs coming across were less. The border needs to be secured.
Caryn Tyson: Supports building the wall, and would allow individuals to submit donations to help fund it. Also an issue is cutting government waste, with which she had success at the state level. She is willing to work on legislation to fight for U.S. security.
Fitzgerald: The border wall is needed as part of the overall security. “There is no reason why this country does not have walls for borders.”
Kevin Jones: Supports building a border wall, because it is a deterrent. “Congress just passed a $1,000 a month for renting cars for each Congressman”. “There are a lot of ways to pay for that wall.”
Question 3: Would you support the president’s use of tariffs as a means to force fairer world trade?
Stever Watkins: On tariffs, he would have to look at each proposal. “Our economy benefits from free trade. The government role is to stay out of the way.”
Doug Mays; Yes, use tariffs to trade more fairly. “This president will be known as the great negotiator. We don’t need a trade war. Farmers and ranchers especially. No tariffs anywhere, it would be a free market.”
Caryn Tyson: Fair and free trade is needed. Trump demonstrated he backs up agriculture, but farmers want to sell products for a fair price that covers their cost.
Steve Fitzgerald: Yes, trade more fairly. Trump is a tough negotiator. The EU is making noises like they are coming to the table.
Kevin Jones: Pres. Trump has started to do the negotiating. “We don’t want to be taken advantage of.”
Vernon Fields: As long as tariffs continue and are able to support our farmers.
Closing remarks:
Doug Mays: Pro-life, 2nd Amendment supporter. He knows Southeast Kansas .” I voted for highway bill tax, I hope people will forgive me of that.” Southeast Kansas has been the stepchild of this state. I’d like to see that changed.”
Caryn Tyson: She can stand up to Paul Davis, is a pro-life, 2nd amendment supporter. Her platform is limited government, traditional values, and economic development. Look at her record as representative.
Steve Fitzgerald: “I’d like to help the district with the infrastructure part-especially broadband. We need someone who has proven credentials.”
Kevin Jones: “911 changed us. We were going to a pastors retreat.” He then went on to serve in the military, then as a state representative. Jobs, debt and the lawful administration of justice are his focus.
Vernon Fields: Sanctity of life is important, and he elected not to work in hospitals that performed abortions. His focus is on issues and needs. Choose wisely because that person will represent the state for the future.
Steve Watkins: Although not many endorsements, he stands the best chance of beating Paul Davis. Leadership was proven in his eight years of military service.
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is thrilled to announce that the amount of grants available for the upcoming 2018/2019 cycle totals $32,000, exceeding last year’s total by $2,000 and $11,000 more than the previous year. Thanks to the generosity of all who contributed to the FSACF general fund, the interest accrued will allow the grant committee more opportunities to benefit the 501c3 applicants who meet the qualifications.
Monies granted to the 18 beneficiaries from last year’s cycle were used for a variety of causes, including helping to purchase medals for Special Olympics’ Bourbon County participants, providing benefits to cancer patients, assisting the Beacon to meet family needs, funding classes for CASA volunteers and purchasing lights for the local pickle ball courts. A full listing of the 2017 grantees may be found here.
The FSACF 2018 Grant Applications was released on Wednesday, August 1, and is now available on the FSACF website, www.fsacf.com, or may be picked up in person at the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St. Nonprofits such as churches, governmental entities, or organizations with a 501c3 status are encouraged to apply.
Applications are due by Tuesday, August 28. Acceptance and declination letters will be mailed on Tuesday, October 16. Grants will be awarded at the Foundation’s Chamber Coffee held in the Landmark Bank lobby at Third and Main at 8 A.M. on Thursday, November 1.
You may click here for the 2018 Grant Application.
You may click here for the FSACF website and to learn more about YOUR Community Foundation.
FSACF Welcomes new board members:
Craig Campbell, Sheryl Bloomfield,
Travis Shelton, and Janet Braun.
Departing board members:
Blake Hudson, Lindsay Madison, Dr. Randy Nichols, Dave Martin, and Steve Buerge served their terms with much dedication to our community.
Ask any current or former FSACF board members about the “Good Works” of this foundation,
there’s much to share.
Two Johnson County residents infected, four regions remain at high risk
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is reporting two cases of neuroinvasive West Nile virus (WNV) disease in individuals who reside in Johnson County. Four regions of the state remain under a high-risk warning for WNV, including north central, south central, northwest, and southwest Kansas. Northeast and southeast regions are at moderate risk for WNV infections.
WNV can be spread to people through mosquito bites, but it is not spread from person to person. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. Roughly one out of 150 infected people develop the more severe version of the disease, neuroinvasive disease, which includes swelling of the brain or brain tissue and, in some cases, death. There are no vaccines or medications to treat WNV. People who have had WNV before are considered immune.
“Although for most people West Nile virus may not cause a great deal of concern, we encourage residents, especially our vulnerable populations, to take steps to prevent infection because of the potential for complications,” said Dr. Greg Lakin, Chief Medical Officer, KDHE.
KDHE recommends you know your risk of WNV and take action to prevent mosquito bites and protect yourself against WNV:
When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Follow the directions on the package.
Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
The elderly or those with a weakened immune system should consider limiting their exposure outside during dusk and dawn when the Culex species mosquitos are most active.
Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
Horses can also be infected with WNV. Talk with your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse to protect them against WNV.
Most WNV infections occur in the late summer and early fall. As of July 24, 39 cases of human WNV have been reported nationally. There have been more than 600 cases of the most severe form of WNV and 30 deaths in Kansas from 1999-2017. Symptoms of WNV disease include fever, headache, weakness, muscle pain, arthritis-like pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, and rash typically developing two to 14 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. People who are concerned about symptoms should speak with their physicians.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides this web page with additional information about West Nile virus and preventing mosquito bites http://www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes/.
Executive Education by Kansas State University to launch a new program for middle managers
MANHATTAN – Following the 2017 launch of The Executive Coach, Executive Education by Kansas State University is expanding its offerings to include a new program aimed at a new audience: The Strategic Leader.
The Strategic Leader is an educational program focused on equipping middle managers and executives with the tools they need to help their workplaces implement organization-wide change. Participants will gather in Manhattan, Kansas, for two days of group and individual coaching once every two months.
Sessions for the first year of the program focus around the theme of “people leadership,” with topics including task leadership, critical conversations and change management. After each session, participants will return to work with actionable goals and the tools required to implement them.
“After working exclusively with executives in our first year, we are pleased to expand this program and welcome in more leaders from the region,” said Russell Disberger, owner of Aspen Business Group and facilitator of the program. “This program is specifically tailored to help middle managers make an impact and grow as leaders within their respective organizations.”
In addition to the new offering, The Executive Coach is now forming a second group to begin Sept. 13. Executives work in a roundtable setting with coaches and their peers to hone the skills needed to establish and maintain an optimized workplace. The Executive Coach consists of 12 one-day sessions, meeting quarterly over a three-year period in Manhattan. Anyone interested in joining The Executive Coach can sit in for a sample session at the Manhattan Country Club on Aug. 9.
Executive Education by Kansas State University is a special collaboration between K-State Global Campus and Aspen Business Group. These programs are designed for high-level executives, middle managers, and emerging business leaders.
For more information on any of the programs offered through Executive Education by Kansas State University, visit exec.k-state.edu.
Rydan White, 12, from Redfield, and his partner Karlee Boots, 11, Welda, are the Junior Ribbon Roping Reserve World Champions in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association.
The contest was held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, OK, July 10-15. There were 94 Ribbon Roping teams who qualified/attended finals.
White and Boots won two buckles, a pair of trophy spurs, and $700 in scholarship money towards the college of their choice.
Karlee Boots at the National Little Britches Rodeo in Guthrie,OK.
They are part of the Southeast Kansas Little Britches franchise which produces rodeos in this area throughout the year and helps kids qualify for nationals.
Rydan also qualified in team roping with his partner Ty Scott of Oklahoma, breakaway, the flag race, and goat tying.
There are awards given for the two Go Rounds, Short Go, Average, and World standings to the top seven in each event.
Rydan won six buckles and three pairs of trophy spurs in all and ended up with 2 Go Round placings and placed in the Short Go in 3 events.
He ended up 5th in the world standings in breakaway roping and 10th in team roping. Rydan was 4th in the Junior Boys All-Around world standings for the year.
Boots also qualified in junior girls barrels, poles, and goats.
Chloe White on her horse going around the barrel at the National Little Britches Rodeo in July.
Chloe White, also of Redfield, qualified in junior girls barrels, trail, and team roping.
Rydan and Chloe are the children of Ryan and Cody White and grandchildren of Dave and Sue Carey of Redfield.
Karlee is the daughter of Justin and Karla Boots of Welda.
